Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Limited and Active Biotech AB announced initial results from the two-year Phase III ALLEGRO study, which demonstrated that relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with 0.6 mg daily oral laquinimod experienced a statistically significant reduction in annualized relapse rate compared to placebo. Additional clinical endpoints, including significant reduction in disability progression, as measured by Expanded Disability Severity Scale (EDSS), were also achieved. Laquinimod was safe and well-tolerated. The overall frequencies of adverse events were comparable to those observed in the placebo group. No deaths were reported in laquinimod-treated patients. Overall incidence of infections was similar between the two arms of the trial. The second phase III study, BRAVO is still ongoing with results anticipated in the third quarter of 2011. Regulatory submissions in the U.S. and the EU will then follow. In addition to the ongoing MS clinical studies, laquinimod is currently in Phase II development for Crohn's disease and Lupus, and is being studied in other autoimmune diseases. Following the successful study results, Teva filed a patent application covering the use of laquinimod in slowing the progression of disability in MS patients. 

Source: www.reuters.com